Improvement in counter-stiffen ers for boots and shoes



F. AVERY. flounter-Stiffe ners for Boots and Shoes.

Patented Se pt. 9, 1879.

INVBNTOR:

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS.

".PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASNINGTON. D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK AVERY, OF GARDEN PRAIRIE, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN COUNTER-STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent NO. 2l9,430, datedSeptember 9, 1879 application filed February 24, 1879.

plied in the manufacture of all kinds of boots and shoes.

The counter is composed of a thin metal plate, A, attached, it may be,with paste or gum to apiece of leather, paste-board, or other desirablematerial, (shown at 13,) and further secured thereto by lapping themetal plate over the leather or pasteboard at theends, as shown Alongthe line of the top the metal plate is slightly curved inward, so thatits edge shall not cut the outside of the boot, and the leather projectsabove the metal, and is brought to a thin edge to gradually decrease thethickness of the combination. I

The lower edge of the plate is nicked in such a manner that it mayreadily be curved and bent inward to conform with the shape of the boot.

Lappin gthe ends of the plate over the leather not only holds the twotogether, but also stit'fens the counter. I

The counter thus constructed maybe placed on the outside of a boot andbe covered with a piece of leather, or on the inside between the back ofthe boot and the lining or a piece of leather put in especially to coverit.

It possesses ad\ 'antages over a soleleather counter, inasmuch as it ischeaper and waterproof, and over a purely metal counter, because theleather portion of it prevents the metal portion of it from cuttingthrough the boot, and when placed inside the boot still covers the metalwhen the boot-lining wears away.

I am aware that metallic counters and molded counters have heretoforebeen designed, and I do not claim either of them; but,

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- The metallic counter-stiflener having theinwardlycurved top edge and nicked and inwardly-curved lower edge, andprovided with a suitable lining, all substantially as shown anddescribed.

FRANK AVERY.

Witnesses:

JOHN RHODES, CARLOS BEEOHERRANDALL.

